Letter: Landrieu good fit for Senate Energy Committee chair

Letter: Landrieu good fit for Senate Energy Committee chair

In December, President Barack Obama nominated Montana’s Sen. Max Baucus to be the next ambassador to China, setting off a domino of committee rotations in the Senate that will make our senior Sen. Mary Landrieu the next chairwoman of the Senate Energy Committee.

For the oil and gas industry, this means that, for the first time in nearly 20 years, we have a Louisianian holding the energy gavel and someone with an impeccable record of protecting oil and gas production in Louisiana and the jobs it supports.

Sen. Landrieu has been a relentless advocate for the oil and gas business.

Her depth of knowledge is unrivaled and respected by her peers in the U.S. Senate. She is also a leader when it comes to dealing with difficult matters for oil and gas legislation. She has worked to expand drilling and energy production here in Louisiana.

Her Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act opened up more than 8 million acres offshore for oil and gas production for the first time in 25 years and, for the first time in 50 years, implemented revenue sharing for Gulf states. This has secured billions for Louisiana for coastal restoration.

Sen. Landrieu has fought against tax hikes on domestic energy producers that would stifle job growth here in Louisiana and hurt the oil and gas industry.

Sen. Landrieu even blocked the nomination of Jack Lew to lead the Office of Management and Budget until the White House lifted its moratorium on drilling.

As chairwoman of the Senate Energy Committee, Sen. Landrieu will protect and strengthen domestic energy production, and that’s great news for Louisiana.